Tournament Venues

Throughout the history of the tournament, the organizers have sought to offer the best possible faculties to the participating teams and their fans. The 2018 State Farm Holiday Classic will be held at the following locations in Bloomington-Normal:

Shirk Center at Illinois Wesleyan University

The Shirk Center at Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) is the championship site of the State Farm Holiday Classic. This $15 million facility was funded in part by the largest contribution ever made to IWU, a $5 million gift from the Russell and Betty Shirk Foundation of Bloomington. The two-level, 135,344-square foot multipurpose complex seats 2,680 for sporting events (3,100 with standing room) in its arena, and also houses four multipurpose courts, a 200-meter track, wellness center, pool, classrooms and athletic offices. A $6.5 million two-story addition and renovation of the fitness center (completed in 2015) includes new classrooms, flooring, installation of a reusable water bottle station and several new cardiovascular machines and circuit training weight equipment.The Shirk replaced Fred Young Fieldhouse in 1994 as the basketball home of the Titans, and is also the centerpiece of one of the nation’s finest NCAA Division III athletics complex. It has also hosted the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball, Track & Field and Women’s Volleyball National Championships.

Bloomington Central Catholic High School

Central Catholic opened its doors in 2003 and hosted SFHC games from 2004-09, and again in 2016 and 201717. The gym has hosted IHSA Regionals in a variety of sports, and can seat approximately 1,500 people.

Normal Community High School

Normal Community High School has been a tournament site of The Classic since 2005. Both the main and secondary gyms are used at NCHS during our tournament, with the main gym seating approximately 2,400 people. NCHS has played host to several IHSA basketball and volleyball Regional, Sectional and Super-sectional events for both boys and girls.

Normal Community West High School

Normal Community West High School has been a tournament site of The Classic since 2003. Both the main and secondary gyms are used at West during our tournament, with the main gym seating approximately 2,400 people. West has played host to numerous IHSA basketball and volleyball Regional, Sectional and Super-Sectional events for both boys and girls.